16 October 2004	Saturday	01 Ramazan 1425

LAHORE, Oct 15: The inter-connect (excess) charges between cell phone companies and PTCL are likely to be reduced by 25 percent by the end of next month.

Under the 'inter-operative agreement', cell phone operators and PTCL charge extra when a call is made from one cell company's connection to another company's connection and similarly from PTCL to a cell phone.

Sources told Dawn on Friday that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has constituted a board to rationalise the tariff. Headed by the director finance, the board has invited suggestions from all the stakeholders. The final decision regarding tariff fixation would be taken and implemented in November after incorporating their (stakeholders) input.

Sources said the tariff rationalisation would help provide level playing field besides sustaining the quality of service. They said the board had also presented some suggestions in this regard to the stakeholders, including Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL), Mobilink, Paktel, U-Phone and two new companies which would launch their operations early next year, for comments.

The stakeholders have been asked to submit their suggestions by the end of this month. PTA Zonal Chief Colonel Nayyar Hassan told Dawn that all the significant market players (SMPs) had reduced the air-time charges according to the market mechanism. "The air-time charges will soon be reduced further," he said.

The PTA would also place the suggestions on its website to seek comments from public as well, he added. It may be noted that during the last few months, various SMPs had started offering incentives to attract more clientele and drive away new operators.

The Mobilink had waived off roaming charges throughout the country while U-Phone and PTCL provided free connections. However, the PTA intervened and stopped them from introducing such tactics which could discourage new operators.